Packers guard Josh Sitton thinks left tackle Bryan Bulaga would be stupid to play on a torn ACL. Dr. James Andrews agrees, with presumably more tactful verbiage.
Per a league source, Dr. Andrews has recommended surgery to repair the ACL tear suffered early in Saturday night’s intra-squad scrimmage. The surgery will happen when the swelling subsides, with a tentative target of next week.
Bulaga, to his credit, was hoping to find a way to play. He continued to play (practice) on Saturday after suffering the injury, and the guy is wired to find a way to suit up and earn his money.
While ACL surgery typically knocks a guy out for the year, it’s too early to assume Bulaga won’t be back in 2013 (or early 2014). The Packers could carry him on the roster like the Steelers did with cornerback Rod Woodson, who tore an ACL in Week One of the 1995 season and returned to play in the Super Bowl. Also, the Packers could use their one short-term IR designation on Bulaga, allowing him to return at any point after Week Eight.
Regardless, Bulaga won’t be playing with an ACL tear. He’s having surgery, and he’ll miss most if not all of the 2013 season.